Are you looking for a car with a keyless entry system or a smart key system? Although these two systems are interchangeable, they have major differences. When buying a new vehicle, one of the frequently asked questions concerns the car access system. This is where many people don’t know the difference between smart key and keyless entry for the vehicle. However, there’s no need to worry about this, as we will provide you with comprehensive information on this difference, including the features of both systems.
Smart Key or Keyless Entry – Know the Difference Here
First, you need to understand that every keyless or smart key has distinct technology. The primary difference lies in how they unlock the car doors. We recommend searching online for the best maintenance tips to protect the car from any unauthorized access.
The key is one of the most popular parts of vehicles, but many drivers are still confused between smart key and keyless entry due to some similar features. The ways to distinguish smart key from keyless entry below will help you identify the type of key that suits your needs. Now let’s see what differentiates one car door unlocking system from the other. First, let’s understand a bit about the keyless system.
Keyless Entry
On one hand, a car’s keyless entry system includes unlocking and locking the car doors using the conventional key or a button on the remote. However, you need to understand that keyless entry does not mean “keyless.”
When you enter the vehicle using the keyless entry system, you easily control the engine without using an actual car key for the ignition. It contains a built-in transponder that identifies the vehicle and activates the ignition systems. The best thing about it is that the car does not lock as long as the key remains inside the vehicle.
This means there’s no need to use the physical metal key to lock or start the car. That was the case with previous generations of cars. This is the first difference in the smart key vs. keyless entry debate.
Smart Key
On the other hand, the Smart Key is a car key containing a microcomputer, which allows the owner to access and unlock the vehicle’s locking mechanism. It completely replaces the metal key found in many modern cars.
The driver can easily unlock or lock and start the car. This happens when the vehicle identifies radio signals from the Smart Key’s radio pulse generator. The technology also comes with a Start-Stop switch to control the car’s ignition.
In addition to the features provided by keyless entry, a smart key allows you to start the engine without physically inserting a key into the ignition switch. Instead, the smart key wirelessly communicates with the car’s ignition system, and as long as the key is within range, you can start the engine by pressing a button or turning a switch.
Siemens was the first to develop the electronic Smart Key system in the 1990s, while Mercedes-Benz developed its S-Class in 1998.
Smart keys often have additional features such as keyless entry, trunk opening, and remote engine start. They use advanced encryption technology and are designed to prevent any unauthorized access to the vehicle. Some smart keys also offer personalized settings, such as memorized seat positions and climate control preferences, which can be automatically adjusted based on the key used.
Overall, the main difference between keyless entry and a smart key is that keyless entry primarily focuses on unlocking and locking the doors, while a smart key provides these functions along with the ability to start the vehicle without physically inserting a key.
Final Note
One might prefer to use keyless entry and smart keys interchangeably. However, in the war between smart key and keyless entry, the latter is the majority’s preference. The reason is that keyless entry surpasses any car unlocking technology.